How are we working together?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is committed to working with the B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF), New Relationship Trust (NRT) and other Indigenous partners through multiple initiatives focused on strengthening Indigenous food systems. Working closely with Indigenous advisors and subject matter experts, and in partnership with Indigenous- led organizations, has enabled the ministry to invest in Indigenous-led program design and delivery to support Nation- and community-driven food-related projects taking place across the province. The IACAF provides a platform for the ministry to work with Indigenous food systems and agriculture leaders to address persistent barriers and support equitable participation in the food and agriculture sector.
In 2024/25, the IACAF and the ministry co-developed a second three-year strategic plan (2024-2027) that prioritizes working together to champion economic revitalization, investment and funding, address policy gaps impacting access to traditional foods, and promote awareness, education and engagement related to Indigenous food systems.
The ministry is working to action recommendations and advice from Indigenous partners through new and ongoing initiatives, including the First Peoples’ Food Sovereignty Table co-led with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). As part of Feed BC, the ministry continues to work closely with Indigenous subject matter experts to develop and widely disseminate learning resources and guidance for public institutions to support incorporating Indigenous foods into their food services in a good way.
Are there challenges?
Frustration, distrust and disengagement among Indigenous partners stemming from perceptions of insufficient government action to meaningfully acknowledge, understand and address the scope of colonization, resource appropriation, ongoing resource development, other impacts and regulatory barriers restricting Indigenous self-determination over their food systems remains a significant risk.
Without an all-of-government approach to Indigenous food systems, the First Peoples’ Food Sovereignty Table, in partnership with FNHA, was created to support collaborative work across areas of government and with Indigenous organizations. The interjurisdictional complexity and the Province’s evolving fiscal approach continue to challenge effective, timely action.
Indigenous partners and subject matter experts continue to identify adequate, long-term funding and investment in Indigenous food system revitalization and enhancement projects as a critical need. Annual funding cycles and uncertainty create risks to ongoing investments and the long-term success of Indigenous food systems projects. The Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Program is in its final year. Future funding has not been identified at this point in time.
The program’s first (2023/24) and second (2024/25) intakes were fully subscribed within days. The Indigenous Food Pathways Program faced similar high demand. The intense competition for funding highlights a significant obstacle to reconciliation, with Indigenous partners noting that it reinforces colonial racism and expends limited local resources. Increasing the use of Indigenous foods in institutions is limited by regulations related to commercial food safety requirements and wild-harvesting; lack of access and supply of traditional foods; and lack of food service decision maker support.
Highlights
The ministry has made significant investments in community-led, place-based projects across the Province. In November 2024, the Indigenous Food Pathways Program was introduced under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to enhance food security, sovereignty, and Indigenous participation in B.C.’s agriculture and food sectors. Alongside it, the B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service was launched to connect Indigenous-led businesses and projects with relevant programs, services, and funding opportunities to strengthen food systems, sovereignty and security. The second intake of the $30 million Indigenous Food Security and Food Sovereignty Program was delivered in May 2024 by NRT. To date, 114 projects across Indigenous communities, urban centers, and First Nations territories have been supported. These projects focus on priorities like boosting local food processing, revitalizing food harvesting and processing practices, expanding production capacity, and growing commercial value-added enterprises. The final intake will open in May 2025.
Feed BC supported the Cooking in Two Worlds Gathering at the University of British Columbia, bringing together Indigenous leaders and chefs to share insights on integrating Indigenous foods into institutional food services through cultural respect, traditional culinary practices, and inclusive dining experiences. A new Cooking in Two Worlds resource was launched with case study stories of Indigenous foods in B.C. institutions. Nineteen leaders from health, post-secondary and correctional facilities participated in a learning cohort journey to improve their knowledge, skills and understanding to incorporate more Indigenous foods into their programs in a good way.